Pleat forming device for sewing machines

ABSTRACT

A pleat forming mechanism adapted to be attached to and operated in conjunction with a lock stitch or chain stitch sewing machine to interconnect the conventional triple pleat formed at the upper edge of drapery fabrics at periodic intervals. The device includes a first pleat forming member including a hinged gripping portion adapted to clamp a manually formed first pleat, means for moving the first pleat forming means into position beneath the needle of the sewing machine, second and third pleat forming elements, and means for advancing the same in serial fashion to successively form the remaining pleats of the individual triple pleat from unfolded material adjacent the first formed pleat. Means are provided for clamping the second and third pleats subsequent to withdrawal of the pleat forming elements, as is means for moving the clamped pleats in planar motion perpendicular to the axis of the sewing machine needle as the clamped material is sewed.

United States Patent [191 Levinstein Apr. 23, 1974 PLEAT FORMING DEVICEFOR SEWING Primary ExaminerH. Hampton Hunter MACHINES Attorney, Agent,or FirmCharles E. Temko [75] Inventor: Stanley Levinstem, Woodmere, NY.ABSTRACT Asslgneei Home Curtam Corporatlon! New A pleat formingmechanism adapted to be attached to Ym'k, and operated in conjunctionwith a lock stitch or [22] Filed; Aug 12, 1968 chain stitch sewingmachine to interconnect the con- [52] US. Cl. 112/134 [51] Int. Cl. D05b35/08 [58] Field of Search 112/134, 135, 132, 133, 112/262; 223/31, 30,28

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,010,621 11/1961Bonarrigo 223/31 2,708,059 5/1955 Petzal et a1. 223/30 2,818,038 12/1957Levie 112/132 3,331,345 7/1967 Firestein et a1. 112/134 O O O ventionaltriple pleat formed at the upper edge of drapery fabrics at periodicintervals. The device includes a first pleat forming member including ahinged gripping portion adapted to clamp a manually formed first pleat,means for moving the first pleat forming means into position beneath theneedle of the sewing machine, second and third pleat forming elements,and means for advancing the same in serial fashion to successively formthe remaining pleats of the individual triple pleat from unfoldedmaterial adjacent the first formed pleat. Means are provided forclamping the second and third pleats subsequent to withdrawal of thepleat forming elements, as is means for moving the clamped pleats inplanar motion perpendicular to the axis of the sewing machine needle asthe clamped material is sewed.

5 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures FATENTED APR 23 I974 SHEET 2 [IF 3 PLEATFORMING DEVICE FOR SEWING MACHINES In the manufacture of triple-pleateddraperies on a massed produced basis, considerable time is lost inmanually forming the triple pleats at periodic intervals, and holdingthe same in pleated condition while an L- shaped pattern of stitches issewn along the rearward edge and base of the pleat. It is known in theart to form the pleats in a location away from the sewing machine,fastening the same by a staple or other mechanical packing, and tosubsequently sew the stapled pleat on a conventional sewing machine,using pleat gripping means which will move the pleat with respect to thesewing machine needle in the well known L-shaped pattern to permanentlysecure the pleats in position. This procedure, while a great improvementover complete manual forming, still requires separate operations atseparate locations, and the accompanying cost in production.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention toprovide a pleat forming device of the class described which may beattached directly to a sewing machine, so that the pleat may be bothformed and sewn in a single continuous operation, and in which many ofthe steps comprising a single cycle are automatically performed.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improveddevice of the class described, which may be incorporated into existingconventional sewing machines to achieve the above result.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of asubstantially fully automatic pleat forming device which will seriallyform the individual three pleat portions which comprise a triple pleat,clamp the same in position for sewing, and complete the sewing operationto a point where the sewed pleat is automatically removed from sewingposition on the sewing machine.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improveddevice of the class described, in which the cost of fabrication thereofmay be of a reasonably low order, thereby permitting consequent widesale, distribution and use. i

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improvedpleat forming device, possessed of the above advantages, which may beconveniently operated by those possessing onlyordinary sewing skills,and in which the sewing cycle is initiated by merely exerting'pressureupon a push button.

A feature of the disclosed embodiment lies in the fact that during thesewing operation thepleat is double stitched that is to say stitchedinboth a forward and reversed direction for additional mechanicalstrength.

Another feature of the disclosed embodiment lies in the complete safetyoffered to the-user during a'sewing operation.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends andvadvantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the followingdisclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification,similar reference characters have been employed to designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a second fragmentary perspective view thereof showing theinterconnection of the same with a sewing machine head.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the device, corresponding to thecentral portion of FIG. 3, with certain of the component parts inaltered relative position.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view as seen from the plane 5-5in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view in elevation as seen from the plane 66 inFIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view as seen from the plane 77in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view thereof as seen from theplane 88 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a View in elevation showing a portion of the cam Wheel whichregulates movement of the device relative to the sewing machine needle,whereby a sewing pattern employed during the completion of a formedpleat is established.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary plan view of the means shown in FIG. 9 as seenfrom the plane 10l 0 therein.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing a completed draperyincorporating a plurality of triple pleats.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary plan view showing the end of a single formedtriple pleat.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary veiw in elevation as seen from theplane I313 in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary side elevational view as seen from the plane14-14 in FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing a first stage in the formation of anindividual pleat using the disclosed embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing a second stage of formation of agiven pleat.

FIG. 17 is a similar schematic view showing a third stage thereof.

FIG. 18 is a similar schematic view showing a fourth stage thereof inwhich the individual pleat forming elements have been withdrawn, and thenow folded pleat has been clamped in position for subsequent sewing.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated byreference character 10, is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2', 3 and 4, ininstalled operative relation with a conventional lock stitch sewingmachine 11 of well known type. The sewing machine is operated through adriven pulley l2 rotated by a belt 13. A second pulley 15 on a commonshaft 15a drives a belt 16 interconnected with the main drive spindle inthe sewing machine head. The conventional tensioning mechanism 17 whichnormally resiliently urges a pressure foot (not shown) downwardlyagainst material being sewed is removed, the function being replaced'byelements to be'described hereinbelow. A base plate 18 (see FIGS. 9 and10) is controlled-by cam means 19 whereby material being sewed mayexecute planar movement in a horizontal plane through an L-shapedpattern to form an individual triple pleat (see FIGS. 11 to 14,inclusive, as is well known in the art).

The device 10 comprises generally: a plurality of pivotally mounted foldretaining members 23 which are arranged for movement about an axis whichis fixed with respect to sewing machine 11, a relatively movable firstfold retaining element 24, second and third fold forming elements 25 and26, respectively, actuating means 27, and control means 28.

The fold retaining members 23 are two in number, including an uppermember 29 and a lower member 30. As best seen in FIG. 4, there aremounted upon a shaft 31 which provides an axis of rotation lying in agenerally horizontal plane beneath the sewing machine head. Each of themembers 29 and are movable between open and closed positions by smallair cylinders 32 and 33 cooperating with resilient means (not shown).The air cylinders are provided with pistons 34 and 35 which coact withlevers 36 and 37 (see FIG. 7) to effect movement, the cylinders beingpositioned by a mounting plate 38 secured to the sewing machine head. Aclamping frame 39 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) is mounted for rotation about aparallel axis on shafts 40 and 41, as is a fold retaining elementholding member 42. The frame 39 and hold down member 42 are providedwith actuating levers 43 and 44, and are moved by a plate 45 mounted ona bell crank 46 by an air cylinder 47 against the action of small coilsprings (not shown).

The fold retaining element 24 includes a horizontal plate 50 mounting avertical member 51, in turn mounting a shaft 52 which passes through aguide 53 fixed with. respect to the sewing machine head and actuated byan air cylinder 54.

Extending laterally from the plate 50 is a cloth guide 55, the functionof which will be more fully explained hereinafter and a mounting member56 upon which first and second clamping plates 57 and 58 are mounted bymeans of a common pintle 59.

The fold forming element 25 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) includes a blade 63positioned parallel to the guide and mounted upon a member 64 extendingoutwardly of a housing 65 through a side wall 66 thereof which isprovided with a slotted opening 67 (see FIG. 5). The mounting member 64is provided with a central opening 68 slidably penetrated by a pistonrod 69 connected to a piston 70 in a air cylinder 71.

The fold forming element 26 is somewhat similar in construction,including a blade member 74extending laterally from a mounting member 75fixed to the end of the piston rod 69. The rod 69 is provided with anenlargement 76 (FIG. 5) which contacts the surface 77 of the mountingmember 64, and that segment of the rod 69 extending between the mountingmember 64 and the mounting member 75 is surrounded by a coil spring 78.From a consideration of FIGS. 4 and 5, it will be apparent that when therod 69 is moved upwardly as seen in FIG. 4, both the blade 63 and theblade 74 will move toward the sewing machine head until the surface 77contacts the plate 73, at which point it is constrained from furthermovement. Owing to the compressibility of the spring 78, however, therod 69 may continue to move, and bring the mounting member 78 into closeproximity therewith. 7

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, there isillustrated a means for shiftingthe members 23-and element 24 which are clamped by the hold down member42 during the sewing operation. This structure includes a cam wheeel 82which is driven in synchronism with the crank mechanism (not shown)which actuates the sewing machine needle about a horizontal axis ofrotation 83. The outer surface 84 of the wheel 82 coacts with a camfollower 85 riding in a track, the follower 85 moving an arm 86 in ahorizontal plane. The arm 86 is provided with a slotted opening 87coacting with a guide block 86 on the axis 83, and an opposite end 89 isinterconnected with a clevis 90 on a shiftable member 91. The member 91rides underneath a plate 92 (FIG. 3) to cause leftward and rightwardmovement, and in one position, an angularly disposed cam face 93 thereoncontacts a corresponding face 94 on a shiftable member 95 also operatingthe plate 92 in a direction perpendicular to that of the motion impartedby the member 91. During this operation, the sewing machine needle 96(FIG. 4) oscillates in the L-shaped slot 97 in the element 24.

Operation of the device during a complete cycle, is best understood froma consideration of FIGS. 15 through 18, inclusive, wherein the action isschematically illustrated.

At the commencement of a cycle, the component parts are in the positionshown in FIG. 4, with the elements 24, 25 and 26 in retracted position,that is to say closest to the operator who would normally be seated atthe left hand portion of FIG. 1. In this position, the upper and lowermembers 29 and 30 are spaced apart from each other under the action ofthe air cylinders 37 and 38. The operator then manually forms a firstfold in a piece of goods 99, and places it between the first and secondclamping plates 57 and 58. The air cylinders 54 is then actuated,causing the element 24 to move from the position shown in FIG. 2 to thatseen in FIG. 3, and schematically illustrated in FIG. 15. During thisoperation, the lower segment 99 of the goods 100 is maintained below theguide 55.

Next, with the arrival of the element 24 at its leftwardmost position,the air cylinder 71 is actuated, causing the elements 25 and 26 to movein unison until the element 25 has reached the leftward limit ofmovement, as determined by the meeting of the surface 77 with the plate73. This condition is illustrated in FIG. 16, and is followed byactuation of the cylinder 32 permitting the lower member 30 to fall toretain the second fold which has been formed.

The air cylinder 71 continues to operate, and the piston rod 69 causesthe element 26 to form the third fold, as seen in FIG. 17, andimmediately following this action, the air cylinder 33 is actuated torelease the upper member 27 to clamp the now formed third fold.

When further leftward movement of the piston 69 is no longer possible,the action of the cylinder 71 is reversed, withdrawing the elements 25and 26 to their original position, and at arrival of this position, thespring 78 has expanded, in readiness for a repeated cycle. The hold downmember 42 and clamping frame 39 are then lowered by release of theactuating levers 43 and 44 by the plate 45 resulting from pivotalmovement of thebell crank 46 under the action the air cylinder 47 (FIG.8). The members 23 and element 24 are now clamped for movementindependently of the elements 25 and 26 during the sewing operation.Actuation of the air cylinder 47 closes the switch toactuatethe sewingmachine which also drives the cam wheel 82 through a completerevolution.

Reference is now made to FIGS. ll, l2, l3 and 14, which illustrate thefinished pleat structure in a drapery. It will be understood that thispleat structure is entirely conventional, and is illustrated so that theoperation of the embodiment may be followed. Each pleat, generallyindicated by reference character 20 includes three individual folds 101,102, and 103 held in position by a vertically oriented stitch 98, and ashorter horizontal stitch 99. The L-shaped pattern, defined by the slot97 overlies the area in which the stitches will be made, and the stitch98 is determined by the extent of leftward and rightward movement, asseen in FIG. 9, while the stitch 99 is formed when the arm 86 hasreached its rightwardmost path of travel, and contacts the member 95which imparts movement to the plate 92 in a direction at right angles tomovement caused by the arm 86. Continued rotation of the cam wheel 82returns it to its starting point, at which point switch means (notshown) is opened resulting in the stopping of the sewing operation withthe needle 96 in raised position. The air cylinder 54 then returns theelement 24 to starting position, and the now sewed pleat 20 may beremoved, and an adjacent piece of material folded to be placed beneaththe clamping plates 57 and 58, so that the cycle may be repeated.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art, that the serialactuation of the above mentioned air cylinders is accomplished bypressure sensitive switches which are disposed in the line of movementof moving elements, so that the completion of each of the describedmovements will automatically initiate the next serial movement. ln thealternative, where simplicity of circuitry is desired, switchescontrolling the air cylinders may be arranged for manual operation inserial fashion under the complete control of the operator, resulting ina somewhat slower time cycle.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limitedto the precise details of structure shown and set forth in thisspecification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled inthe art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A device for use in conjunction with a sewing machine for forming aplural pleat in piece goods along an edge thereof prior to a sewingoperation permanently holding said formed plural pleat, comprising: afold retaining element including a pair of clamping members, a pluralityof fold retaining members mounted for pivotal movement about an axisfixed with respect to said sewing machine, and relatively movable aboutsaid axis from opened to closed positions to enclose and maintain aplurality of folds in pleated juxtaposed condition; a plurality of foldforming members arranged in mutually staggered relation, and means forserially moving said fold forming members into successive intersticesformed by said fold retaining element and plurality of fold retainingmembers; means for successively closing said fold retaining members toretain folds of cloth placed therein, following the progressiveformation thereof, and means for substantially simultaneouslywithdrawing said fold forming members after the completion of a formedpleat.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, said fold retaining elementhaving an opening therein for the entry of a sewing machine needle ofshape corresponding to a predetermined sewing pattern.

3. Structure in accordance with claim 1, including pneumaticallyoperated means for moving said fold forming element.

4. The method of forming a pleat consisting of a plurality of foldswhich comprises the steps of: providing a fold retaining elementincluding a plurality of movably associated fold retaining membersmovable between a mutually spaced condition defining a plurality ofinterstices therebetween and a closed position in which said foldretaining members are moved to abutted condition to grip therebetween afolded, piece of goods; providing a plurality of fold forming membersslidably engageable between said interstices when said fold retainingmembers are in relatively opened condition; manually forming a firstfold, and clamping the same between portions of said fold retainingelement;

serially moving the fold forming members into successive intersticesformed between the fold retaining members to form adjacent pleats frommaterial disposed on one side of said fold retaining element; seriallyclamping said fold retaining members upon formed folds as said folds areformed; subsequently withdrawing said fold forming members, and sewingsaid folds to form a pleat.

5. The method in accordance with claim 4, further characterized in theprovision of the final step of moving said fold retaining element andfold retaining members as a unit from sewing position with respect tothe sewingmachine for subsequent manual removal therefrom.

1. A device for use in conjunction with a sewing machine for forming aplural pleat in piece goods along an edge thereof prior to a sewingoperation permanently holding said formed plural pleat, comprising: afold retaining element including a pair of clamping members, a pluralityof fold retaining members mounted for pivotal movement about an axisfixed with respect to said sewing machine, and relatively movable aboutsaid axis from opened to closed positions to enclose and maintain aplurality of folds in pleated juxtaposed condition; a plurality of foldforming members arranged in mutually staggered relation, and means forserially moving said fold forming members into successive intersticesformed by said fold retaining element and plurality of fold retainingmembers; means for successively closing said fold retaining members toretain folds of cloth placed therein, following the progressiveformation thereof, and means for substantially simultaneouslywithdrawing said fold forming members after the completion of a formedpleat.
 2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, said fold retainingelement having an opening therein for the entry of a sewing machineneedle of shape corresponding to a predetermined sewing pattern. 3.Structure in accordance with claim 1, including pneumatically operatedmeans for moving said fold forming element.
 4. The method of forming apleat consisting of a plurality of folds which comprises the steps of:providing a fold retaining element including a plurality of movablyassociated fold retaining members movable between a mutually spacedcondition defining a plurality of interstices therebetween and a closedposition in which said fold retaining members are moved to abuttedcondition to grip therebetween a folded piece of goods; providing aplurality of fold forming members slidably engageable between saidinterstices when said fold retaining members are in relatively openedcondition; manually forming a first fold, and clamping the same betweenportions of said fold retaining element; serially moving the foldforming members into successive interstices formed between the foldretaining members to form adjacent pleats from material disposed on oneside of said fold retaining element; serially clamping said foldretaining members upon formed folds as said folds are formed;subsequently withdrawing said fold forming members, and sewing saidfolds to form a pleat.
 5. The method in accordance with claim 4, furthercharacterized in the provision of the final step of moving said foldretaining element and fold retaining members as a unit from sewingposition with respect to the sewing machine for subsequent manualremoval therefrom.